The Central Coast community is being encouraged to apply to the NSW Government with solutions to stamp down on local crime and anti-social behaviour.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Central Coast Scot MacDonald MLC and Member for Terrigal Adam Crouch MP encouraged local non-government and not-for-profit community groups, councils, businesses and organisations to apply for a grant up to $250,000 for ideas to boost local safety and pride.

“The Community Safety Fund invests in local projects that address local crime hot spots and promotes safe and inclusive use of public space,” Mr MacDonald said.

“I have heard from many people in our community who have innovative ideas of how to make our community a safer place and I encourage them to take up this funding opportunity” Mr Crouch said.

Attorney General Mark Speakman said that combatting crime often requires a whole-of-community approach and this funding helps grassroots organisations contribute to make their towns, suburbs and cities safer.

“We are calling on local organisations on the Central Coast with crime prevention ideas to come forward, so we can help make these ideas a reality and boost community safety,” Mr Speakman said.

Minister for Police Troy Grant said this program funds community initiatives which will enhance the work of Government and the NSW Police Force in fighting crime both in the cities and in the regions.

“The NSW Government and the NSW Police Force are always looking to partner with local organisations to help prevent crime in communities right across the state,” Mr Grant said.

“We know that a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when it comes to breaking the cycle of local crime, so we are working with communities at a grassroots level to find the right solution for each region.”

The Community Safety Fund aims to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour across NSW through collaborative approaches to community safety and crime reduction, prevention detection initiatives. The fund supports projects that address local crime hot spots, address anti-social behaviour in communities and promote safe and inclusive use of public spaces.